EMS Bike Issues

NCEMS Foundation
2010 Conference
Baltimore, MD
EMS Bike
Issues
THANK YOU !
To President George, Vice Pres. Scott,
Sect. Joshua and the entire staff of the
NCEMS Foundation
To YOU – the participants at this
conference and the agencies you
represent
To the alum of past conferences
EMS Bike Issues
Why An EMS Bike Unit
How To Start An EMS Bike Unit
Training Issues For EMS Bike Units
Equipment Issues For EMS Bike Units
Why An EMS Bike Unit ?
As a stepping stone to the future !
To reduce response times of the existing
EMS response agency
Provide early defibrillation
Reduce the burden on the ambulance
Why An EMS Bike Unit (cont.)
To gain access to specific areas that are
not accessible by an ambulance
To staff specific events on the campus
As a means of public relations
To obtain visibility for the EMS Unit
Gaining Access
Why An EMS Bike Unit (cont.)
Low costs - $$$ for an ambulance, QRS
vs. bike
Ease of maintenance
Staff morale booster
No pollution
How To Start An EMS Bike Unit
Identify the Need - the stats !
What is the average response time ?
How many calls need an ambulance – the
equipment it contains or for transport ?
How To Start An EMS Bike Unit (cont.)
Determine BLS vs. ALS
Medical supplies - quantity, diversity,
protection and security (of drugs or narcotics)
How many days, special events or responses to
be used at
Training For EMS Bike Units
The 4 R’s of training:
Recognized
Recent
Relevant
Realistic
Training For EMS Bike Units (cont.)
Recognized
In the EMS field, curriculum and instructors
are recognized by NREMTs, State DOH’s
or other certifying agencies.
Training for EMS Bike Units also needs to
be recognized by an authorizing agency
Training For EMS Bike Units
(cont.)
Recognized (cont.)
International Police Mountain Bike Association
International Association of Medical Bike Units
In-House EMS Bike training
Training For EMS Bike Units
(cont.)
Recognized (cont.)
IPMBA
Police on Bikes training since 1993
EMS on Bikes training since 1997
basic police/EMS cyclist class is 32 hours
Public Safety Cyclist II class since 2003
Training For EMS Bike Units
Recognized
(cont.)
(cont.)
IAMBU
Bike Medic Provider training since 1999
basic course is 24 hours
part of training is scenario responses
Training For EMS Bike Units
Recent
Static vs. Dynamic
Static: philosophy of training is
‘ if it ain’t broke – don’t fix it ’
‘ we have always done it that way ’
‘ don’t rock the boat ‘
(cont.)
Training For EMS Bike Units
Recent
(cont.)
(cont.)
Static vs. Dynamic
Dynamic: dictates that the curriculum and the
instructor evolves and changes with new
information, technology and techniques
Training For EMS Bike Units
Recent
(cont.)
(cont.)
Dynamic
IPMBA’s ‘Complete Guide To Public Safety Cycling’ has
been updated and expanded (from 256 pages and 130
photos) and was distributed in the Fall 2007. Available
for purchase at www.ipmba.org
IPMBA’s web page is consistently updated with the latest
information www.ipmba.org
Training For EMS Bike Units
Recent
(cont.)
(cont.)
Dynamic
IPMBA instructors must teach one course per year to
maintain instructor authorization
IPMBA has held annual conferences since 1993 with the
best cadre of international instructors period !
Training For EMS Bike Units
(cont.)
Relevant
There Are 2 Parts of Your Job
Getting to the scene of the emergency safely
Being able to render medical care to those in need
Training For EMS Bike Units
Relevant
(cont.)
(cont.)
Getting to the scene of the emergency safely:
Proper gear selection - the ‘Good Spin’ concept
Proper braking techniques - routine and emergency
Training For EMS Bike Units
Relevant
(cont.)
(cont.)
Getting to the scene of the emergency safely:
Slow speed bike handling skills - the balance and cone
course drills
Cycling in ‘emergency response mode’
Off-road riding skills
Training For EMS Bike Units
Relevant
(cont.)
(cont.)
Police Officer James C. McBride
Metropolitan Police Department District of Columbia
25 year old male
2 years of police service
Bike Patrol Officer - Killed In The Line Of Duty
August 10, 2005
Training For EMS Bike Units
Realistic
Does the bike training environment
reflect that in which
you will be responding ?
(cont.)
Training For EMS Bike Units
Realistic
(cont.)
(cont.)
Curbs:
descents, ascents, parallel, perpendicular
Stairs:
carry techniques, descents, ascents
Urban Obstacles:
common hazards encountered
Stair Descent
Training For EMS Bike Units
Realistic
(cont.)
Crash Avoidance Skills:
look back exercises; ‘quick-turns’;
maximum braking techniques
Crash Survival Skills:
are they taught – are they practiced ?
(cont.)
Crash Survival Skills
Training For EMS Bike Units
The INSTRUCTOR must be a PECH
Projection
Enthusiasm
Conviction
Heart
(cont.)
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
A Juggling Act
What You Have Currently
What You Want In The Future
Your Ability To Get What You Want
Is This What You Want ?
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
(cont.)
Testing and Evaluation:
Before you buy anything, make inquiries
as to who is using the product
and what are the good / bad features about it.
‘ do not re-invent the wheel’
SWAG
Do not be afraid to ask
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
(cont.)
The Bicycle
Frame material:
steel - strong, does not catastrophically fail
heavy, subject to the elements
aluminum - (either 6061 or 7005) lite-weight, does not rust
no warning before failure, transfers
road vibrations
titanium - super strong but who can afford it ?
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
The Bicycle
(cont.)
(cont.)
Derailleur Systems
The drive train of the bicycle is one of the most important
components and allows you, with proper gear selection to, get into
that ‘Good Spin’ mode - unless you have a single speed bike.
Recommendations:
Front - Shimano Deore or SRAM 5.0 series
Rear - Shimano LX or SRAM 7.0 series
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
The Bicycle
(cont.)
(cont.)
The Wheel Assembly
The two wheels of the bike will be supporting all of the weight
(rider + equipment) while the bike is in motion and absorbing a
majority of the vibrations caused by the surface being traversed.
Recommendations:
Combination type tread pattern; minimum width 1.75”;
36 spokes of 18 gauge stainless steel (triple weave pattern);
double walled rim; tire insert; Presta valve inner tube
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
The Bicycle
(cont.)
Shock Systems
Traditional front suspension fork systems
absorb road vibrations and reduce fatigue but
causes a loss of energy in forward movement.
‘Dial-out’ front suspension systems as found
on Cannondale and Fuji for when not needed.
(cont.)
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
Accessories
Kickstands
Racks
Gear Bags
(cont.)
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
(cont.)
Kickstands
Considerations:
Load capacity – ability to support the weight of the bicycle
and the EMS gear being carried.
Single contact point with surface
Dual contact point with surface
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
Kickstands
(cont.)
Greenfield
single point contact
Tranz-X
single point contact
Pyramid Pro
single point contact
Bell
single point contact
Pletscher
dual point contact
(cont.)
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
(cont.)
Rear Racks
Considerations:
Weight Capacity - must be able to support the weight of
the medical equipment being carried.
Strut Design - must be able to prevent the pannier bags
from draping into the wheel assembly and damaging
the spokes.
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
Rear Racks
(cont.)
(cont.)
Considerations (cont.):
Frame connection point - the bolts connecting the rack
system to the frame of the bike must be of sufficient tensile
strength to support the rack and the weight of the medical
equipment being carried.
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
(cont.)
Rear Racks
(cont.)
Blackburn
EX-1 Expedition
35 lbs capacity
Cannondale
Model 112440
50 lbs capacity
Expedition
50 lbs capacity
Delta
Jandd
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
Rear Racks
(cont.)
(cont.)
Old Man Mountain
Red Rock
60 lbs capacity
Topeak
Tourist series
OS Tubular
55 lbs capacity
55 lbs capacity
Zefal
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
(cont.)
Bags and Panniers
Considerations:
How much and what type of equipment will
the bag be required to carry ?
Does the bag or pannier have a specific function ?
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
Bags and Panniers
(cont.)
Considerations (cont.):
Do you really use all of the equipment that is
being carried in the bag and panniers ?
If not .…..
(cont.)
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
Bags and Panniers
(cont.)
Considerations (cont.):
Does the bag or pannier have interior pockets
or dividers to accommodate different sizes
of equipment ?
Are the pockets clear so that the equipment
is visible ?
(cont.)
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
Bags and Panniers
(cont.)
(cont.)
Considerations (cont.):
If using an ‘open’ or pillow type bag do you place
equipment horizontally or vertically ?
If stacking equipment horizontally, place seldom used
items in the bottom of the bag.
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
Bags and Panniers
(cont.)
(cont.)
Considerations (cont.):
Are the bags / panniers connected to each other or
a single unit ?
If the bags are connected to each other, how easy is
it to disengage them from each other ?
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
Bags and Panniers
(cont.)
Considerations (cont.):
How are the bags / panniers connected to
the bike rack ?
How easy is it to disengage the bag / pannier
system from the bike rack ?
(cont.)
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
Bags and Panniers (cont.)
AllTuff
Fort Wayne, IN
Arkel
Quebec, Canada
Axiom
Canada
Conterra
Bellingham, WA
(cont.)
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
Bags and Panniers
(cont.)
Inertia Designs
Santa Barbara, CA
Ironduck
Chicopee, MA
JANDD
Santa Barbara, CA
Openhouse
Cheshire, UK
(cont.)
EMS Bike Unit Equipment
Bags and Panniers
Ortlieb
(cont.)
Heilsbronn, Germany
R & B Fabricators Oakwood, OH
Thomas EMS
Salt Lake City, UT
(cont.)
THANK YOU NCEMSF
Lieut. John F. Washington Jr.
IPMBA Instructor Trainer for
Police and EMS Cyclist programs
Commander – Bike Patrol Unit
University of Pennsylvania Police Department
4040 Chestnut Str. - Phila., PA 19104
cell: 215 778 8531
e/m: johnfw@publicsafety.upenn.edu
NCEMS Conference Attendees
Have A Great
Remainder of the Conference
See You In 2011